Confident Nietes ready for war, Melindo, Servania also upbeat on winning chances in "Pinoy Pride 14"

CEBU, Philippines - Two-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (29-1-3, 16KOs) leaves for Manila tonight full of zest and confidence that he will successfully defend his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero (16-2-1, 11KOs) in the main event of the highly-anticipated "Pinoy Pride 14:Night of Champions" on June 2 at the poshResorts World Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

“I've studied his style carefully and I think I could handle him well. I'm very confident of defending my crown,” said Nietes in a press conference yesterday at the Sinulog Hall of City Sports Club-Cebu.

 However, the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental was reluctant to predict a knockout, saying that it will just come along the way if opportunity presents itself.

“You can't foretell a knockout, it will just come. All I can say is that I trained to last for 12 rounds,” said Nietes, who will make the first defense of the WBO belt he seized with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Ramon Garcia Hirales on October 8 last year at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

Also being featured in the explosive triple championship card bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports are the undefeated ALA Boxing Gym stars Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and Genesis “Azukal” Servania.

Melindo (26-0, 10KOs will trade fistic bombs with former world champion Jesus Geles (13-2-1, 5KOs) of Colombia for the WBO International flyweight title, while Servania (17-0, 5KOs) will take on Mexican toughie Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia (38-8-, 22KOs) for the WBC International Silver super bantamweight crown.

“He's a tough opponent. He has a very good style with punching power,” said Melindo. “But I prepared hard for this fight. It's going to be a great match,” added the Cagayan de Oro City fighter.

The WBO No.1 flyweight contender Melindo is hard-pressed to score an impressive win so as not to derail a possible world title shot before the year ends.

“He (Melindo) has to go through Geles first before we will negotiate for a world title fight for him. Let's see how he performs. Hopefully within the year we will be able to have a world title fight for Milan,” said ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer.

Like Melindo, Servania braces for an acid test against the 'real' Genaro Garcia, who got embroiled in a controversy even he could set foot on the Philippine soil.

'Poblanito' was originally contracted to slug it out with Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista in the “Pinoy Pride 12” last March 3 in Tagbilaran City, but it turned out that the Genaro Garcia who came to Bohol was a ‘fake’ one who doesn't even know how to punch.

This time, ALA Promotions makes it sure that the real Genaro Garcia will be coming over, although against a different opponent.

Servania surely faces an uphill battle against Garcia, who has already fought eight world champions spotlighted by a spectacular win over Rafael Marquez.

“It's gonna be a risk. But it's our commitment to the public to bring out the best fights that they can watch,” said Aldeguer. “On the other end, we believe Servania has what it takes to make it big.”

Servania, for his part, is not scared nor intimidated by the caliber of his Mexican foe. "I've done my homework and I'm optimistic that I would come out victorious in the end," he said.

The rest of the bouts pit Arthur Villanueva vs. Jeffrey Cerna; Ralph Lulu vs. Boyce Sultan; Arjan Canillas vs. Warren Manbuanag; Juren Labordo vs. Fel Morales; and Takaoki Noma vs. Eljhon Evangelista.

Tickets are priced at P1,000 for balcony, P1,500 for balcony center, P2,000 for deluxe, P2,500 for premier, P3,000 for premier center and P5,000 for VIP. For further information, one may log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph (FREEMAN)